On Friday this week, we’ll be celebrating three musical superstars in our Papa Haydn and his Wife concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. We caught up with one of the OAE leaders, Kati Debretzeni, who’ll be performing on the night:

What do you fear the most?
Debilitating illness of a loved one.

Which mobile number do you call the most?
The number of my wonderful Hungarian-speaking babysitter. And I keep trying my husband’s knowing he won’t hear it – I inflicted the phone on him…

What – or where – is perfection?
In our minds. But no harm in trying!

Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?
I like anti-heroes better then heroes. Sancho Panza or Leporello are so much more interesting then the protagonists – they are human, and frail, and have real emotional depth and complexities.

What’s your favourite ritual?
Not a person of rituals really. If pressed – going to a cafe and reading the newspaper by myself. Sad…

Which living person do you most admire (and why)?
All women musicians who managed to bring up well-rounded children whilst keeping their work going.

What other talent or skill would you like to possess?
Patience.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Impatience doesn’t pay off. And people work better as a team if they feel trusted.

What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?
Goes in phases. Janet Baker and Elisabeth Schwazkopf singing Schubert. Grumiaux and Haskill playing Mozart together.
Dave Brubeck’s Time Out.

What’s the best thing about playing with the OAE?
The constant challenge of playing wildly different styles of music, with a huge array of wonderful conductors and instrumentalists.